EyeTV mobile includes software and keys to decode the free service available in many markets

Elgato launched its EyeTV
mobile dongle for the iPad and iPhone Monday. The Elgato
EyeTV Mobile listing on Amazon showed that it was “out of
stock” as of Monday afternoon, but early Wednesday--as I was writing this
article—the Website indicated that 12 were available.

While there are other options for receiving U.S. Mobile DTV
broadcasts, the Elgato EyeTV mobile is the only device, other than the MetroPCS
Samsung Lightray, that includes the software and keys necessary to decode the
free Dyle
mobile DTV service available in many TV markets.

Salil Dalvi and Erik Moreno, co-General Managers of MCV,
commented, “This is an exciting time for us as we, together with Elgato,
continue to expand Dyle mobile TV to a broader group of consumers, who can turn
their existing smartphones and tablets into a handheld TV set.”

Markus Fest, CEO of Elgato added, “We're thrilled to bring
Dyle mobile TV to the iPad's beautiful screen. Users will be able to enjoy a
broad range of TV shows and events on-the-go without ever touching their data
plans.”

The device includes pause/resume capability and access to a
detailed program guide. The device can pick up unencrypted Mobile DTV
broadcasts, as well as encrypted Mobile DTV signals, from more than 90 stations
in 35 markets.

I had an opportunity to test one of the prototype dongles,
and was impressed with the receiver sensitivity and the software. While riding
around the Los Angeles area, I did observe a few bad spots, but the picture
recovered quickly when the signal returned. Overall, reception was very good.
Just as there are spots where your cell phone stops working, there will be
spots where you won't get Mobile DTV. While some reviewers (read below)
complained about the picture quality, I didn't find it to be objectionable--certainly
not when compared with what you are likely to get over a mobile Internet link.
As the number of devices available to receive mobile DTV increase and more
people buy them, I also expect more stations to start broadcasting Mobile DTV,
either on their own, through Dyle (the Mobile Content Venture) or with the
Mobile500 Alliance.

She writes, “Users can pause a live TV stream and watch up
to nine hours of TV on a fully charged iPad. The tuner comes with two different
antennas a miniature telescopic antenna for great reception on the go, and a
rod antenna for areas with poor reception. The unit, which retails for $99.95,
includes an EyeTV Mobile TV tuner, miniature telescopic antenna, rod antenna,
and USB cable. The unit’s complimentary iOS app is available as a free download
on the App Store.”

Her only negative comment?

“The only down side? A user whose device includes a
lightning connector will have to fuss with the pricey adapter to plug the EyeTV
tuner into his iPad dock.”

Tech site Gizmodo was more negative. Leslie Horn writes Dyle’s
EyeTV Sounds Like the Worst Way to Watch TV on Your iPad. Horn
complained about the cost of the adapter, limited content (mostly Fox and NBC)
and the picture quality--“several rungs below HD”. Horn, however, recognized
this was the first dongle on the market for the iPad and iPhone, and noted that
“Because EyeTV does at least sound promising, and perhaps the next iteration--or
the next next iteration--will be better.”

The Gizmodo article is largely based on a Allthingsd.com
article by Peter Kafka, Dyle
Brings Legal, Live TV to Your iPad, With Many Strings Attached.
Kafka also complained about a rights blackout that means you can't watch NFL
games on Dyle, although the Olympics and the World Series were available). On
the picture quality, he said, “The picture looks okay on an iPhone, but by the
time the image gets blown up to an iPad-size screen, it’s quite grainy.”

The FAA’s current rules and proposed ban on flight over people, requirement of visual line of sight and restriction on nighttime flying, effectively prohibit broadcasters from using UAS for newsgathering. ~ WMUR-TV General Manager Jeff Bartlett